The Black Sox fight to reclaim the world title
The Black Sox have won silver at the Softball World Cup. The team has long been a dominant force in the sport, having won the Men's World Championship a total of seven times, becoming World Champions for the first time in 1976. NZ Softball Hall of Famer Jarrad Martin talked to Jesse.
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1News
7 hours ago
- 1News
Black Ferns World Cup squad: Few surprises but no room for Ruby
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has named his squad for the upcoming World Cup, with a settled looking 32 players set to defend their title. Despite a call up for the Black Ferns' last Test, Ruby Tui has missed out on a place in the highly competitive outside back group. Unsurprisingly, all available Black Ferns Sevens players have been selected, with Jorja Miller's inclusion creating an intriguing situation in the loose forward mix. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is seemingly assured of a starting spot, so how Miller fits in the remaining starting spots will be interesting. Thirty-five-year-old Kelly Brazier will play in her fourth World Cup after earning a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first Test since 2021. Brazier – who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career – could be playing her fifth World Cup but missed the 2022 tournament due to being in the Black Ferns Sevens side. Lock Laura Bayfield makes the squad after debuting earlier this month, she joins Maiakawanakaulani Roos, and Alana and Chelsea Bremner. ADVERTISEMENT Ruby Tui. (Source: Photosport) Fellow Sevens stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano (Fitzpatrick) and Stacey Waaka return for their third World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe wasn't even supposed to be available after retiring last year and then signalling intentions to play in the NRLW, however the lure of the black jersey and another title has proven be too strong. Tukuafu is joined in the leadership by Ruahei Demant, with the Blues first five coming off back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles. This will be a challenging campaign for the Black Ferns, with England hot favourites going into their home World Cup. The tournament kicks off on August 23 when the hosts take on USA in the tournament opener, with the Black Ferns facing Spain, Japan and Ireland in their pool matches. Black Ferns Rugby World Cup 2025 squad Loosehead props: Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby ADVERTISEMENT Tighthead props: Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) Halfbacks: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane First five-eighths: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant (cc) Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe ADVERTISEMENT Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray Black Ferns World Cup schedule Black Ferns v Spain Kick-off: 4.30am Sunday, August 24 York Community Stadium, York Black Ferns v Japan Kick-off: 1am Sunday, August 31 ADVERTISEMENT Sandy Park, Exeter Black Ferns v Ireland Kick-off: 1.45am Sunday, September 7 Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton Quarter-finals: September 14-15 Semi-finals: September 20-21 Final: September 28
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Joseph named in Black Ferns World Cup squad
Otago halfback Maia Joseph has been named in the Black Ferns squad to defend their Rugby World Cup title next month. The Otago Spirit back is among the 33-strong squad heading to England unveiled at a function in Upper Hutt this evening. It will be the first pinnacle event for the 23-year-old, who has earned 11 caps since making her international debut last year. Stalwart playmaker Kelly Brazier — who hails from Dunedin — has also been selected for her fourth World Cup, at 35, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka have been named for their third World Cup. Sevens stars Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included. Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the youngest to be named after the 18-year-old fullback's break out season. Matatu lock Laura Bayfield, who debuted for the Black Ferns against Australia earlier this month, has also been given the nod. She is joined by Matatu team-mates Alana and Chelsea Bremner, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Amy du Plessis. But there is no room for winger Ruby Tui, who is the big omission from the squad after being dropped earlier this year. Matatu first five Hannah King, who was nominated for world breakthrough player of the year in 2024, has also been left out of the squad and is currently in South Africa with the Black Ferns XV. The Black Ferns are the defending champions after beating England 24-21 in front of a sold out Eden Park in 2022. Sixteen players from that squad return, including co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu. Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting congratulated the 33 players selected. 'On behalf of the coaching group, I'd like to congratulate all our players named tonight in front of their whānau. We are really excited about this group and truly believe they can take us to the next level,' Bunting said. 'We've got vast experience across our squad, with more than half of our players having competed at pinnacle events. 'While it's an exciting time for those selected, I'd like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense, and we wouldn't be where we are today without them. 'The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women's rugby in Aotearoa.' The Black Ferns start their title defence against Spain on August 25. Black Ferns World Cup Squad Loosehead props *Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests) Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 7 Tests) *Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 13 Tests) Hookers *Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests) *Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests) Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests) Tighthead props Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests) *Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test) Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests) Locks *Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 Test) Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 Tests) Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 Tests) Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 Tests) Loose forwards Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Tests) *Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 Tests) *Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū, Manawatū, 12 Tests) *Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 14 Tests) Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 30 Tests) Halfbacks *Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests) *Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests) *Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Tasman, 2 Tests) First five-eighths Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 Tests) Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 Tests) Midfielders Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 25 Tests) Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests) Theresa Setefano (30, Blues, Auckland, 19 Tests) Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Tests) Outside backs Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 Tests) Ayesha Leti-I'iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests) *Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests) *Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 17 Tests) Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues, Northland, 27 Tests) Non-travelling reserve Krystal Murray (32, Chiefs Manawa, Northland, 14 Tests) *denotes first Rugby World Cup
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Black Ferns World Cup squad named: few surprises but no room for Ruby
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe returns for her third World Cup. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has named his squad for the upcoming World Cup, with a settled looking 32 players set to defend their title. Despite a call up for the Black Ferns' last test, Ruby Tui has missed out on a place in the highly competitive outside back group. Unsurprisingly, all available Black Ferns Sevens players have been selected, with Jorja Miller's inclusion creating an intriguing situation in the loose forward mix. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is seemingly assured of a starting spot, so how Miller fits in the remaining starting spots will be interesting. 35-year-old Kelly Brazier will play in her fourth World Cup after earning a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first test since 2021. Brazier - who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career - could be playing her fifth World Cup but missed the 2022 tournament due to being in the Black Ferns Sevens side. Lock Laura Bayfield makes the squad after debuting earlier this month, she joins Maiakawanakaulani Roos, and Alana and Chelsea Bremner. Fellow Sevens stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano (Fitzpatrick) and Stacey Waaka return for their third World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe wasn't even supposed to be available after retiring last year and then signalling intentions to play in the NRLW, however the lure of the black jersey and another title has proven be too strong. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand during the O'Reilly Cup - New Zealand Black Ferns v Australia. Photo: Masanori Udagawa/Photosport Tukuafu is joined in the leadership by Ruahei Demant, with the Blues first five coming off back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles. This will be a challenging campaign for the Black Ferns, with England hot favourites going into their home World Cup. The tournament kicks off on 23 August when the hosts take on USA in the tournament opener, with the Black Ferns facing Spain, Japan and Ireland in their pool matches. Loosehead props : Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby Tighthead props: Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) Halfbacks : Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane First five-eighths: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant (cc) Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray Black Ferns v Spain Kick-off: 4:30am Sunday 24 August York Community Stadium, York Black Ferns v Japan Kick-off: 1am Sunday 31 August Sandy Park, Exeter Black Ferns v Ireland Kick-off: 1:45am Sunday 7 September Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton Quarter-finals : 14-15 September Semi-finals: 20-21 September Final: 28 September
